Achievements
Kantorei celebrates it’s 28th year this year!
Kantorei has had the same artistic leadership for last 11 (only two conductors in 28 years)
Kantorei has performed as headliners for National Conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) most recently in 2019.
Kantorei has performed for regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association most recently in 2023.
Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. “Sing, Wearing the Sky” (2020) choral music of Jake Runestad reached the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. “Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen” (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts.
In early winter 2025, Kantorei once again joined forces with Grammy-winning producers Soundmirror to record choral works of Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin, this time on the Decca label, the first North American choir on this prestigious label.
Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. publishes the Kantorei Choral series.
Kantorei serves as the resident choral ensemble for the Aspen Music Fest in the Summer.
Kantorei has performed alongside the Kings Singers and Canadian Brass
Kantorei has commissioned and premiered works by some of today’s leading composers including: Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Joshua Shank, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.
Kantorei’s Global Engagement work includes a partnership in Guatemala with choral ensemble Vocalis, where Kantorei provides ongoing vocal and choral instruction as well as music education for children in addition to performances.
Our organizational budget has grown from $80,000 to $500,000 in last 10 years.